Kundel H L, Seshadri S B, Arenson R L
Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104.
Comput Med Imaging Graph. 1991 May-Jun;15(3):197-200. doi: 10.1016/0895-6111(91)90010-s.
A Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) was installed in the Medical Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. For one year, 8 week periods of FILM ONLY usage were alternated with 8 week periods of PACS OR FILM usage. The time interval between obtaining portable chest images and taking image dependent actions decreased when the PACS was used, however, about 40% of the action decisions were made without a radiologist's consultation. Only 5% of action decisions were made without consultation during the FILM ONLY periods. A new clinical study for measuring diagnostic accuracy and efficiency as well as communication patterns is described.
